Goose Rock

A short, steep hike (.7 miles) from the South Bridge parking lot will take you to Goose Rock, the highest point on Whidbey Island. At 484 feet, Goose Rock has unrivaled views of Deception Pass and the surrounding islands. On a clear day you can even see Victoria.

At the top of Goose Rock, hikers are treated to a rare glimpse of a unique ecosystem: rocky balds. Left behind by retreating ice sheets at the end of the last major glaciation, rocky balds are characterized by exposed bed rock (usually granite) with sparse patches of thin soil. Beautiful but delicate wildflowers dot the balds in the spring and summer. The Goose Rock balds are among the most impacted areas in the park. Please stay on the trail so that visitors can continue to enjoy this unique treasure.

Goose Rock can be accessed via 4 different trails to the north, south, east and west of the summit. The Goose Rock Perimeter Trail runs along the eastern base of the peak and features views of Strawberry Island, Ben Ure Island, and Cornet Bay.

Our board meets on the last Wednesday of each month. We often have additional meetings to discuss fundraising and other projects. Please
contact us if you’d like to attend.

This web site is maintained for the Deception Pass Park Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. It is NOT supported by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the agency that manages and operates Deception Pass State Park, nor does this website represent the official views of the Commission. The information on this web site is maintained for the Foundation as reasonably current and dependable information for your benefit and use. The Foundation seeks to support Deception Pass State Park and provide valuable services to its visitors. All of the money raised by the Foundation goes to the direct benefit of the educational and resource protection programs of Deception Pass State Park.